The U.S. Grains Council recently released its 2013/2014 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report, which found the average aggregate quality of the corn exported early in the 2013-14 marketing year was better than U.S. No. 2 on all grade factors. In addition, the incidences of positive levels of aflatoxin and deoxynivalenol (DON) test results were very low.
The Export Quality Report, now in its third year, measures the quality of U.S. corn sampled at the point of loading for export. Three export channels are reported: the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Northwest and inland terminals shipping by rail to Mexico.
Other findings show moisture content was higher than in the 2012-13 and 2011-12 samples. Chemical and physical attributes were similar to 2011-12 export samples, but below that of the 2012-13 samples on some factors.
The report found all of the export samples tested below the FDA action level of 20 ppb for aflatoxins. A significantly higher proportion of the export samples tested below 5 ppb aflatoxin than in the previous two years. All of the samples tested below the FDA advisory levels for DON (5 ppm for hogs and other animals and 10 ppm for chicken and cattle). About 95 percent of the samples tested below 0.5 ppm DON, which was about the same as 2012-13 and higher than 2011-12.
"We set out to raise the bar with data reporting," says Tom Sleight, U.S. Grains Council president and CEO. "The Council is providing an unmatched level of information about the U.S. corn crop, reinforcing the U.S. reputation for quality, reliability and transparency."
"Our purpose is to give U.S. corn buyers reliable and timely information," Sleight said. "The interest generated in the report demonstrates we are meeting and exceeding their needs."
The Council will begin presenting the report's findings to buyers and other stakeholders around the world in coming weeks.
